The initial focus of the Centre will be on commercializing new technology discoveries related to the environment, natural resources and energy; health and related life sciences; and digital media.
Ontario's brightest minds are joining Ontario's most innovative companies. Want to improve your capacity for innovation? If the answer is yes, we can help you.
Ontario Centres of Excellence's (OCE) First Job program connects talented graduates with growing companies across Ontario that need research and development (R&D) to stay globally competitive. Graduates begin promising careers and employers benefit from enthusiastic researchers. It's a win-win for Ontario.
What is First Job?
Ontario's innovators are an invaluable resource, essential to the
stability and prosperity of the provincial economy. However, the
transition from academic study to industry is not always smooth,
especially in difficult economic times.
OCE's First Job initiative helps Ontario companies hire knowledgeable,
highly skilled graduates from Ontario colleges and
universities. Employment opportunities are in R&D with the goal
of developing new products, services and processes, giving
host companies the chance to expand their capabilities.
Across Ontario, leaders of the innovation economy are hiring
science, technology, and entrepreneurship graduates through the
First Job initiative, making Ontario a more attractive place to start a
career.
Eligibility and Application Process
To learn more about First Job, please contact:
Marc Nantel
Director, Business Development
Ontario Centres of Excellence
Tel: 1 (416) 861-1092 x 1025 or 1 (866) 759-6014 x1025 marc.nantel@oce-ontario.org
Each year, Ontario Companies benefit from OCE's First Job Program. Listed below are some of our industry partners that have participated in First Job over the past three years.
Companies are able to increase their global competitiveness
by hiring highly qualified researchers who
bring cutting-edge knowledge in their field of expertise.
Companies also benefit from new ideas, fresh
perspectives and enthusiasm - at a comparatively low cost.
HOW DO GRADUATES BENEFIT?
OCE's First Job program allows college and
university graduates to accelerate their career.
Successful applicants are able to apply their
academic research to "real-world" challenges and
learn the practical aspects of growing a business –
all while earning a competitive salary.
HOW DOES THE FUNDING WORK?
Established companies receive support for up to fifty percent of the recruit's salary, to a maximum of $40,000. Start-up companies are eligible for support for up to eighty percent of the recruit's salary, to a maximum of $50,000. Host companies provide the remaining salary and benefits.
"First Job allowed me to get the real-world work experience I needed to enhance my current software development skills as well as allow me to become a better problem solver."
Houssein Ayach, Senior Analyst
and OCE First Job Recipient
Visual Cortek Inc.
"We are extremely grateful to OCE for this opportunity, which has allowed us to hire a high quality employee on a start-up budget. It has been an honour to be part of this program with such a sizeable impact on Canadian small businesses."
Paul Chan,
Chief Executive Officer
Opalux Inc.
"Our First Job recruit helped drive the challenging process of taking an idea from bench to market. He was able to deliver a commercial prototype ahead of schedule, and has met or exceeded all of our expectations."
Michael Cowan,
Co-founder and President
Attodyne Inc.
![Province of Ontario [logo]](../media/ontario_logo.jpg "Province of Ontario [logo]"){kind=logo}